Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Australian David Micheluzzi has upstaged some of the world’s best golfers as he powered into a share of the first-round lead of the $US9 million ($A14 millon) Dubai Desert Classic.
The 28-year-old enjoyed his best day yet on the European tour as he fired a blemish-free, seven-under-par 65 at the Emirates Golf Course to eclipse the likes of Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm, favourites for the $US1.53m ($A2.46 m) first prize.
Melburnian Micheluzzi wasn’t the only surprise name atop the leaderboard on Thursday with David Ford, a young American amateur, and Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia also shooting 65s.
“Definitely, couldn’t have wished for a better start,” smiled Micheluzzi, who came home by birdieing his final four holes.
“Never played here before, and everyone’s saying how tough it was. Today, I just played great – there’s nothing more to it!
“After the first 11, 12 holes, the wind got up a little bit, but I just kept hitting good shots and got lucky with a few shots where I probably wasn’t aiming there and then I holed some nice putts coming in.
“Four birdies on the bounce to come in. Yeah, you don’t mind that, do you? Lunch tastes very sweet after that.”
Micheluzzi, who’s starting his second year on the European tour after winning four times on the PGA Tour of Australasia, is determined to enjoy a successful campaign.
“I just want to go out enjoy it. Last year was nerve-wracking, my first year out, it’s always tough,” he explained.
“New venues every week, and I just want to look forward to every event and play the best I can and I’ve started well this week which is nice.”
Defending champion McIlroy had to settle for a “pretty scrappy” opening round of 70 to lie five off the pace, while Rahm, on his debut in the event, carded an opening 69.
Left-hander Ford, a 22-year-old who plans to turn professional in May, covered his first 11 holes in seven under, before parring the last seven.
France’s Mike Lorenzo-Vera marked his return after a six-month absence due to mental health issues with an opening 67 to lie just two shots off the lead.
“I was crying on the first tee,” the 39-year-old told reporters.
“I had a lot of support since I came back. A lot of messages and a lot of people were very nice to me. It feels good.”
“I just tried to have fun. Just come out here and do the preparation that I do for college events and just keep everything really simple and keep having fun.”
